The two-day Multi-Party National Convention is underway in Kempton Park, East of Johannesburg. Seven political parties - the DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, United Independent Movement, Spectrum National Party and Independent South African National Civics Organisation have converged to craft a pre-election plan with the aim of forming an alternative government to the ANC following next year's elections. Leaders of the various parties have outlined their expectations at the to-day convention. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter Busi Chimombe

Residents in Marikana say nothing much has changed since 34 mineworkers were killed by police in 2012. This is the official commemoration of the massacre getting into full swing in honour of those that died on this day, eleven years ago. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter Zebilon Maine and Thabisile Phumo  Executive Vice President: Stakeholder Relations at Sibanye-Stillwater

A municipality building has been allegedly set alight in Swellendam, Western Cape. Community members are protesting against a lack of service delivery. The N-2 highway at Swellendam in the Overberg region of the Western Cape is currently closed and traffic is being diverted through the town. Reports suggest that protesters laid burning debris and rocks across the road. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Overberg Municipality executive mayor, Andries Franken 

The Section 194 committee has recommended that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane be removed from office. The committee says it has satisfied itself that on the evidence it has, charges of misconduct and incompetence have been proven against Mkhwebane. Only two parties, the EFF and Al Jamaah expressed their opposition to the recommendation. The draft report should have been delivered to the suspended public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, yesterday for her response. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Suspended Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane

A child has been severely burnt at Ga-Mathabatha outside Lebowakgomo in Limpopo after a man allegedly set alight a house in which his partner and the child were sleeping. The perpetrator is known and police apparently refused to open a case. It is alleged police tried to mediate between the family of the burnt child and the perpetrator. Sakina Kamwendom spoke to reporter, Mahlatse Phaladi

Statistics South Africa released the unemployment rate for the second quarter, which declined slightly to 32-point-6 per cent from 32-point-9 per cent in the first quarter.  The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 154 thousand to 16,3 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 11-thousand to 7,9 million during the same quarter. Meanwhile, South Africa's unemployment rate remains a thorn in the side of many young people. Shawn Theunissen, social entrepreneur and founder of Property Point says South Africa can improve its youth unemployment crisis by creating awareness of available employability training opportunities and educating SMEs on their crucial role in empowering youth while growing the economy. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Shawn Theunissen, social entreprenuer and founder of Property Point 

Convicted child rapist and sex trafficker, Gerhard Ackerman has been handed 12 life terms for his crimes by the Gauteng High Court. Ackerman was found guilty of over 700 crimes which also include, being in possession of child pornography as well as creating and broadcasting pornographic material. He was charged alongside the former acting judge Paul Kennedy who committed suicide following his arrest. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter, Prabashini Naicker...

 The murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa is underway in the High Court in Pretoria. The state has called a new witness, Sergeant Mandla Masondo. Last week, two digital forensic experts were called to testify about the chain of evidence. Five men are on trial for the murder of the soccer star. Sakina Kamwendon spoke to reporter Pearl Magubane

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says the unbundling of Power Utility, Eskom is not the answer to the country's energy problems. The union accuses Eskom together with the Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan of unilaterally implementing the decision to sell Eskom's distribution assets to a new state-owned company, without proper consultation with key stakeholders such as the unions and the public. NUM's Energy Sector Coordinator, Khangela Baloyi says the decision to unbundle Eskom is a first step towards the privatization of Eskom. Sakina  Kamwendo spoke to NUM's Energy Sector Coordinator, Khangela Baloyi

Dr Mathole Motshekga has withdrawn as the guardian of Rain Queen-elect Princess Masalanabo Modjadji. Motshekga has written to the High Court in Pretoria to withdraw as a guardian and applicant in the interdict to stop the coronation of Masalanabo's brother Lekukela as king of Balobedu. He is citing that he can't afford the costs of the legal dispute between him and the Modjadjis. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Dr Mathole Motshekga